How to choose from so many beautiful Northumberland Wedding Venues

Whilst pretty much every aspect of your wedding is optional, from deciding your own wedding vows/promises, ditching the cake to skipping the speeches, there's one thing you can't skip: a venue! After all, you've got to have somewhere for your friends and family to celebrate your special day with you.

Selecting a wedding venue is one of the first (and important) decisions you'll make as an engaged couple — it will influence your budget, location of your wedding, suppliers, décor, theme and even attire. I've decided to produce a blog to help break down everything you need to know when weighing up different options.

Estimate how many guests you'd like to invite to your big day

Make a guest list!  It's easier to break the numbers down into separate categories then you can amend your list quickly:

Bride's Family, Bride's Work Colleagues, Groom's Family, Groom's Work Colleagues and Friends!

Not all venues can accommodate a wide variety of wedding sizes - this will rule out some wedding venues.

Large Capacity Venue/Intimate Capacity Venue

Now you have an idea of the number of guests you want to invite, you will know if you need a large capacity venue or a smaller and more intimate venue. The size of the venue is important, too small for your number of guests and the room will feel stuffy and overcrowded, too big and guests will feel lost and the space will feel cold.

There is also the option of splitting your day by having an intimate service during the day and having a separate list for evening guests. 

Northumberland Wedding Venues & your budget

Now you have an approximate number of guests you can allocate a cost per head to determine a budget for your venue.  Guest numbers will also determine which venues will be suitable.

I will be posting a separate blog detailing tips on budgeting for your wedding....so watch this space!

Choosing your wedding date

Peak months and bank holidays book up very quickly at popular venues and will generally be the most expensive.  If you can be flexible with your date and choose an off-season month, you’ll often be able to secure the venue of your dreams at a lower rate. For example, you're likely to pay less for a Thursday wedding in February than you would for a Saturday in July. Time of year, day of the week, and your engagement length will all impact your negotiating leverage with Northumberland wedding venues.

Venues can have a very different look depending on the time of year!!  If you fall in love with summer images of a wedding venue but want to book a November wedding ensure you see 'real wedding' images for winter weddings before you go ahead!!

Viewing venues on-line!  Check out wedding planners' and photographers' blogs to see real wedding photos of venues rather than the generally staged images that wedding venues showcase

Viewing 'real weddings' will ensure you're seeing images that aren't staged and taken at promotional photography days!  Many venues show the bridal suite with staged bridal preparations but in reality the bridal suite isn't available until the evening of your wedding day....definitely an important question to ask before you book.

You'll get a much better idea of what things can (and really do) look like if you view photographs from actual weddings.   It can be especially helpful if you are unable to visit the venue during the season that you'll be getting married in.

http://www.dianemakepeacephotography.com/hexham-wedding-photography-gallery

Themes and Styles

Deciding on a wedding venue isn't easy as there are so many options to choose from!!  Whether it’s a rustic affair on a farm, a homely affair in a country manor full of character, a fairytale wedding in a grand mansion or a small intimate wedding at a country garden!  Whatever your dream scenario, there’ll be a venue out there that’s perfect for you.   Here are a few venue ideas to get you started:

Farms and Barns

Farms and Barns are becoming more and more popular and have a more rustic and natural feel.  Many now include elegant touches such as chandeliers, polished floors, outdoor fire pits, and twinkle lights strung between trees.

Check out Northside Farm which is situated in the secluded Northumberland countryside very near Hadrian’s Wall yet only a few miles from Newcastle.   It has breathtaking views......fabulous for your wedding photos!

You will find plenty of historic soul here just as you would expect from a barn which is 150 years old.  It's been lovingly restored to ensure the original rustic charm and features are captured, including restored flag stone floors and exposed beams.

Northside Farm also includes 10 orchard wigwams for those guests who wish to glamp!!  The 10 glamping pods are situated in an orchard with each pod being located next to a fruit tree. The hand-made timber cabins include heating and electricity....enabling you to experience the great outdoors without sacrificing on comfort!

A world away from the mass-produced weddings offered by chain venues they never book more than one wedding on a weekend meaning you have exclusive use of the farm to make the day truly yours with your personality firmly stamped on everything that happens.

If you would like to look at Northside Farm in more detail, here is their website address: http://www.northsidefarm.co.uk

Fairytale Castles

If your looking for a fairytale Castle, look no further than Langley Castle, Northumberland......an absolute perfect perfect fairytale setting!!

Langley Castle offer amazing 'out of the ordinary' wedding experiences including hiring your own Court Jester, Stilt Walkers and even offer Game of Thrones Styled Weddings.  Take a look at their website to check out lots of other themes and styles:

https://www.langleycastle.co.uk/weddings

Langley Castle offers a fairytale wedding experience and plenty of accommodation for wedding guests.

Manor Country Houses

If you're looking for something a little different try looking at historic homes, country manors and estates.  They can provide a homely feel, lots of character, ornate details, style and beautiful grounds.

Look at Woodhill Hall in Otterburn......it's unique, quirky and stylish and provides a two-night entirely exclusive wedding experience.

Woodhill Hall is a 300 year old detached Georgian Country Manor, set on a private estate of 100 acres of woodland, meadow and river and situated near the village of Otterburn in the heart of Northumberland. 

Woodhill Hall boasts an Orangery, tepee, BBQ hut, two bars, an elephant garden (with giant heaters), accommodation for 36 people, two hideaway lodges, a 'love shack' and a fully equipped kitchen creating a homely feeling!  Woodhill Hall is also surrounded by breathtaking views of the Northumberland countryside making the most amazing backdrop for your wedding photos.

For more information on weddings at Woodhill Hall, here is their website address:  http://www.woodhillhall.co.uk/your-perfect-wedding/

Country Garden

If you're looking for a country garden wedding bursting with charm and character then The Garden Station at Langley, near Hexham is perfect.

The Garden Station is a restored Railway Station and Woodland Garden in a beautiful and scenic part of Northumberland.  The Garden Station offers a bespoke and exclusive wedding coverage.

www.thegardenstation.co.uk/weddings

Grand Mansions

A dreamy wedding in a grand mansion with huge halls, staircases, history and grounds!!

Matfen Hall ticks all of these boxes!  Set in 300 acres of beautiful Northumbrian countryside, Matfen Hall is a 19th Century Country Mansion and an idyllic venue choice.

https://www.matfenhall.com

Customer Service/Wedding Venue Team

Ask as many questions as you can think of before signing the Contract. Treat your questions as a test of the venues' customer service levels. Make a list and ask as much as possible during initial contact.

Ask the questions again when you take your tour of the venue – maybe you’ll get a different answer the second time around!

It's important that you're confident the wedding co-ordinator at your chosen venue is professional, approachable and will deliver a flawless service for you.

Questions you may want to ask before signing on the dotted line:

When will be bridal suite be available?

Ask to view venues when they are set up for a wedding. If this is not possible ask to see photographs, most venues should have a photo book or slideshow.

Ask for a seating plan of the room at full capacity, this will give you a good idea of how much space there is and how comfortably your guest numbers will fit.

Are table covers, place settings and napkins included?

If your ceremony and reception is in the same room, how long does the turnaround take?

The weather can be unpredictable to say the least so it's important to ask if the venue have an indoor space for reception drinks and also photographs!

What set up time is included?  When will your suppliers have access to the room?

If you're having your ceremony at your venue, can you throw confetti?

Finishing with an image from Sam & Sarah's Wedding taken during their speeches at Seaham Hall in Durham.  Cheers.......and good luck with the rest of your wedding planning.

http://www.seaham-hall.co.uk

I'd love you to leave a comment if you found my blog helpful!

Thanks so much and I hope you have enjoyed reading....Diane x

Diane Makepeace Photography

Northumberland Wedding Photographer

North East Wedding Photography

North East Documentary Style Photographer

Wedding Venues in Northumberland

Covering Hexham, Corbridge, Newcastle and throughout Northumberland!